LED strip lights are a must-have in modern houses; they have made our lives easier and we use them on a daily basis. It’s interesting to know that LED strip lights allow you to transform any space with a stylish and cost-effective lighting solution and create a memorable effect. Today, we’ll talk about how to hardwire LED strip lights in a safe and effective way.
Variety in LED Tape
LED tape is available in a quite large range of colors and temperatures, including cool, neutral, and warm white, as well as amber, blue, green, pink, and red.
Color-changing strip lights are another option if you don't want to stick with just one color. Driven tape also comes in various wattages, generally from 5 watts to 25 watts, which decides the brightness of the lights, estimated in lumens. In this way, there's an extensive variety of driven strip lights that will assist you with achieving the look you're going for.
Installation Considerations
Driven strips normally have an adhesive backing for easy installation and can easily be cut to various lengths from their five-meter reels.
While choosing the light strips that you wish to install, it's critical to consider the width of the tape compared to the width of the area you want to install it on.
Additionally, you'll want to look at the number of LEDs per meter to see if the light is evenly distributed. Although tapes with more LEDs per meter cost a little more, they do not cause any undesirable spotting effects.
LED light strips should ideally be installed on a metal surface to help dissipate some of the heat, as they can warm up slightly when turned on. On the off chance that your LED strips will not be installed on a metal surface, we suggest placing them in a profile before mounting them to the surface using brackets.
Installing LED Strip Lights
Installing LED tape is very straightforward. Some basic wiring may be required depending on the type of tape you are using. Most LED strip lights are sold on 5-meter reels and require some basic wiring.
To install mains-powered LED strips, you will need your reel of LED tape, a compatible driver, and a compatible LED connector wire. Our LED strip light kits, on the other hand, include everything you need to get started. Then, follow these steps to connect your LED strip lights to your power supply:
- Connect the LED tape to the connector wire by inserting the end of the tape into the clip on the wire, ensuring to match the red wire with the plus sign on the tape and the black wire with the minus sign. To secure the clip, apply a firm press to the back of the connector.
- On the adhesive side, you may need to remove some of the backing strip.
- The tape should be removed from its adhesive backing and firmly adhered to the surface of your choice, such as the ceiling, wall, or counter.
- Connect the driver to the other end of the connector cable. Alternately, you could try our collection of simple-to-use, ready-to-connect tapes.
- A pre-attached jack for these light strips connects directly to the appropriate driver.
- Plug the driver into the power supply and switch the mains power on.
Benefits of Dimmable Transformers
- Increased Control: When you connect your LED lighting system to a dimmable transformer, you gain the ability to control the brightness of your lights with precision.
- Improved Energy Efficiency: You can significantly reduce the amount of energy you use by employing a dimmable hardwired transformer.
- Longer Lifespan: Dimming your lights can assist in further extending this lifespan by using less power and producing less heat.
- Aesthetic Options: By changing the brightness level, you can create various moods and atmospheres.
- Compatibility: Designing your LED lighting system to a dimmable transformer can increase compatibility with a wider range of fixtures.
Planning and Measurement
Everyone wants to improve their homes or space. When your room is clean and polished, it gives off a positive vibe. You can install the strip lights in your home, and they will make it look better.
However, if you haven't done it correctly, you might lag. The lights will need to be hardwired for this. This can be done by taking measurements of the area where you intend to hang the LED.
You should have an idea of the number of strip lights you will require for various areas and know the length that you actually want. Problems in the future will arise if the size is off.
Preparation Steps
Before you continue with anything more, plan out the inclusion. Draw a picture of where the lights will be placed. Suppose there are any nearby plugs that you can use to connect them.
You should investigate where the closest plug is and the distance between the strip lights and the fitting. Next, find out how much power the LED strips can use.
Electricity or power powers every electronic device. The power of these lights is determined by their length. The wattage is generally mentioned on the label.
Power Calculation
Estimation of Required Amperes
- We have a formula for finding the smallest amperes: divide the power by the voltage to determine this. The electric current is measured in this unit. The LED strip lights move quickly through the electric current; if it doesn't move quickly, the lights will go out.
Combination of Power Demand and Supply
- You should have a power source that matches the power requirements. The most common type of power source is an adapter in the shape of a brick.
- You can use it by simply inserting it into the wall after connecting it to the LED strip. Each strip light may need its own adapter, and every adapter has different power requirements.
As we can see, hardwiring is possible with LED strip lights. But it is important to make sure you know the procedure and safety measures. After all, your safety is of paramount importance to us.
The reward of hardwiring is significant; it adds a new touch and a new look to your home. Don’t hesitate to buy original strips, though, as the company or manufacturer from where you get these should be legit.